Player of the year: Ross Colton loves playing hockey and he loves playing hockey for Princeton Day. Coach Scott Bertoli is thankful to have him.

"He’s the most important piece of the puzzle for why we were successful," Bertoli said. "He’s the most dynamic offensive player I’ve ever seen. If the puck is on his stick, he’s a threat to score from anywhere on the ice."

"I love the atmosphere at Princeton Day, playing with my best friends," said Colton. "I love playing with my brother, Rob. I started at such a young game and my game has developed so much. There’s not a greater feeling than scoring a big goal in a big game. Princeton Day has taught me so much and has helped me experience it all."

Colton, a sophomore, helped lead Princeton Day to a 21-3-1 record this season and a prep tournament title. He led the team with 25 goals and was tied for the team lead with 47 points. He scored multiple goals in seven games this season and tallied a point in 21 of his team's 25 games. An offensive force, Colton thanked his linemates, which includes his brother, Rob, as the main reasons why he was successful.

"It’s awesome to play with my brother," Colton said. "We know where each other is on the ice. He has my back and I have his. The chemistry we have is incredible."

Coming into the season, Ross knew that he needed to lift weights and improve his speed. He skated in the offseason and did agility and strength training to bulk up his frame and work on his speed.

Other improvements that his coach noticed this season was how his defense improved, helping him become a more complete player. He was on the top penalty kill line and was in the game to take faceoffs late in contests.

For Colton, it all boils down to putting forth performances to get a win.

"Whenever I’m on the ice I want to do as much as I can to help the team," he said. "But in big moments, I want to be the guy to score the big goal. Whatever I can do to help the team is what I want."

Game of the year: With one of its best teams in years, Princeton Day was looking to snap its losing streak to rival Lawrenceville. Princeton Day had not beaten Lawrenceville since the 2000-01 season. Princeton Day was undefeated coming into the Jan. 16 meeting at Loucks Ice Center in Lawrenceville. But Lawrenceville got the last laugh in a back-and-forth contest.

Jordan Kaplan scored off an assist from Tylar Novy with 40 seconds left in the third period to lift Lawrenceville to a 5-4 victory in front of a few thousand fans.

"It is the biggest goal I've ever scored," Kaplan said after the game.

Misha Mrotchek gave Lawrenceville a 1-0 lead 2:49 into the game. Conrad Denise tied the game seven minutes later for Princeton Day. John Kowalewski put Lawrenceville up by one after the first period, scoring with 15 seconds left in the frame.

Mark Anarumo tied the game 3:21 into the second period before Stephen Clarke struck on the power play with 11:05 left in the period to put Lawrenceville back up, 3-2. Ross Colton tied the game with 6:43 remaining and it was knotted 3-3 after two periods.

Antoine Crepin-Heroux put Lawrenceville ahead, 4-3, 16 seconds into the final period. But Rob Colton brought Princeton Day back even once again, scoring on the power play with 6:36 left before Kaplan gave Lawrenceville a final lead it would not relinquish.